Michael Ashkenasi

About Michael Ashkenasi

Previous experience with several Business Improvement Districts, Chambers of Commerce, & Development Corporations. Since 2018, I have worked with the DTLA Alliance in Downtown Los Angeles (DowntownLA.com) and currently manage our $8MM+ annual budget\'s production & reforesting, and reconciliation of all our monthly financials. Additionally, I oversee all contracts and vendor relationships, and am the organization\'s point person for public policy, legislation, and public works within the District. In previous roles within the organization, I was the project manager of our IDA Award-winning DTLA//IRL holiday pop-up initiative, produced quarterly Market Reports on real estate and development in Downtown LA, set up our first comprehensive contact database, and supported our marketing efforts by producing and updating website/newsletter/social media content.Through Nov. 2017, I was the SSA/BID Program Specialist for the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce. I created RFPs, oversaw contracts and vendor relations, promoted BID incentive programs, and prepared and distributed meeting agendas, information packets, and other materials. Additionally, I managed sustainability programming for the Chamber, enhancing WPB\'s reputation as a community leader in the field of sustainability, while helping local businesses. We were awarded the 2017 ILLINOIS SUSTAINABILITY AWARD, one of only two non-profits in the state given this prestigious honor. I also managed the Chamber\'s property database for business attraction, keeping an up-to-date inventory of available commercial space for lease.From 20••••16, I was the full-time Director of Sustainability Programs for the Andersonville Sustainable Community Alliance (formerly the Andersonville Development Corporation). I managed the eco-Andersonville brand / set of initiatives that promotes and encourages environmental, social, and economic sustainability to enhance the unique urban character and local commercial vitality of Andersonville. In Nov. 2016, we were awarded the ILLINOIS GOVERNOR\'S SUSTAINABILITY AWARD, the only neighborhood-based organization in the state to win this honor.I graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago with a Master\'s Degree in Urban Planning & Policy - Environmental Planning & Policy.

Experience

1. Vice President, Administration & Finance

   Dtla Alliance

   Feb 2025 — Present

   Accounting and Financial Management: Act as point-of-contact for accounting consultants, providing oversight on completion of monthly financials, audited year-end financial statements, and tax returns; report to Finance Committee and Board of Directors on a monthly basis; oversee development of $9 million annual budget; cash management (maintain all banking relationships, review monthly investment summaries, collaborate with the Finance Committee in establishing and implementing investment policy); daily approve invoices and provide direction on resolving accounting-related issues. Database Management: Oversee management of property assessment database; ensure information is regularly updated and submitted annually in accordance with terms of the City of Los Angeles contract; reconcile with County records as requested by the City; manage questions or inquiries from property owners regarding assessment calculations. Insurance: Negotiate all insurance contracts and act as primary point of contact for insurance broker; assess and manage risks, monitor claims and ensure adequate coverage levels. Contract Management: Manage service contracts related to facilities, information technologies, outsourced maintenance and security services; negotiate, approve and oversee other organizational contracts as needed. Ensure optimal existing vendor performance and compliance with existing contracts. Administration: Develop, coordinate, and execute administrative policies and procedures, formulating policies for all departments to ensure best practices, nonprofit integrity and ethics in accordance with legal requirements and emerging technology; work with consultant in overseeing IT functions; responsible for overseeing responses to and compliance with the California Public Records Act. Manage workflows, logistics, and execution of initiatives – especially cross-departmentally. Identify and streamline additional efficiencies.

Education

• University of Southern California

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

• University of Illinois at Chicago

  Masters

Skills

• Outlook
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Gis
• Community Development
• Public Speaking
• Community Outreach
• Sustainability
• Research
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Public Policy
• Microsoft Office
• Management
• Policy Analysis
• Social Media
• Customer Service
• Event Planning
• Marketing
• Leadership
• Fundraising
• Geographic Information Systems (Gis)
• Nonprofits
• Project Management
• Project Planning
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Film
• Television
• Script Coverage
• Proofreading
• Editing
• Budgeting
• Planning Budgeting & Forecasting
• Urban Planning
• Film Production
• Time Management
• Creative Writing
• Creative Problem Solving
• Community Engagement
• Volunteer Management